But it is also true, that if you wanted to design an institution which would perpetuate and cover up for child abuse on an industrial scale, than you would have struggled to create a better fit than the Catholic Church of 40 or 50 years ago. You have the culture of clericalism that means that priests are borderline worshiped in their communities. You have a system of education for priests that takes them in seminarians at a very young age and teaches them that they are special. You have a bishop who controls the entire life of everyone who works under him, who can, if he chooses silence anyone who raises any doubts. You have an institution that is loved by millions and feared by most of the rest. You have access not just to altar boys but to schools and hospitals and clubs.
I think this is a key point. It was a perfect 'creation' for power systems to allow for abuse to fester. Same with institutions run by sisters. But these places don't exist any more in part due to changes in how children are treated in care, but also due to the state effectively taking over most of these types of institutions prior to reforming them or winding them down.
Also, as much as people like to assume priesthood was a 'calling', a half century ago in reality it wasn't. In many families it was an obligation (a priest in every family was pretty much the rule even in Scotland) or a place to essentially hide.
In terms of it 'not happening now', in Europe, America, Australia etc
maybe; never assume. Certainly in the developing world the institutions, power structures, silence etc probably still exist in many case unchecked and unchallenged. That's no doubt where it may continue to happen.
